From housing affordability and advocacy wins to member engagement and professional development, National Association of REALTORS® leaders used the mainstage at Inman Connect San Diego 2026 to deliver a clear message: NAR is focused on helping REALTORS® succeed in a rapidly changing market.
In separate conversations, CEO Nykia Wright and 2026 President Kevin Brown offered attendees a closer look at the work happening behind the scenes on behalf of NAR members. Their appearances reinforced the message that the association is listening to members with a special focus on brokers, serving as their consistent advocate on Capitol Hill and investing in the future of the profession.
Wright said her top priority is ensuring NAR remains focused on helping REALTORS® grow their businesses.
In Listening Mode
“Our true North is: How are we continuing to help REALTORS® get to their next transaction?” she said. “And how are we being the best stewards of their money possible?”
Wright described a leadership team spending significant time on the road meeting with brokers, agents and local associations across the country. She acknowledged rebuilding trust remains a work in progress but said member feedback is shaping the association's priorities.
“We are in a listening mode that we have not been in, I would argue, in the last 10, 15-plus years,” Wright said. “We are also understanding what their biggest pain points are to help turn that into something that can be less of a pain point.”
The conversation highlighted several initiatives aimed at delivering value to members, including a revamped education portfolio launching later this year, expanded research resources and ongoing investments in advocacy and communications.
Wright pointed to one of NAR's most significant recent accomplishments: helping secure passage of the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. The legislation is designed to address housing supply challenges by streamlining development, reducing regulatory barriers and creating new opportunities to expand housing inventory across the country.
“The legislation just passed, and that was the result of two years of work and thousands of hours invested on behalf of REALTORS®,” Wright said. “We did the work.”
Getting Back to Business
That advocacy theme continued during Brown's appearance, which opened the final day of the conference.
Brown offered a behind-the-scenes look at how NAR and REALTORS® helped move the ROAD to Housing Act across the finish line through outreach, education and relationship-building with lawmakers.
“We worked with Congress, we educated them, we gave them polling data. We gave them economic data,” Brown said. “This was a two-and-a-half-year process.”
Brown noted that REALTORS® met with members of Congress roughly 5,000 times in both 2024 and 2025 and shared what it was like to testify before Congress in support of the legislation.
“What really surprised me this time: Congress was finally working on something together to move the American housing problem that we have with affordability and housing shortage,” Brown said. “[And] we were the ones behind the scenes pushing it.”
Looking ahead, Brown highlighted the More Homes on the Market Act as a key priority, calling it a potential catalyst for unlocking inventory by modernizing decades-old capital gains rules, also known as the home equity tax.
As his presidency enters its final months, Brown said his focus has remained consistent.
“My focus is getting NAR back to business,” he said. “Getting back to business, focusing on the issues that are impeding or stopping our members from getting to and executing their next transaction.”
Conversations With Changemakers
NAR’s presence at Inman extended well beyond the main stage. Throughout the conference, the REALTOR® News “Change Agents” podcast recorded roughly a dozen conversations with industry leaders, innovators and changemakers, giving members an inside look at the ideas and people shaping the future of real estate.
Among the guests were Inman CEO Tom Bohn, who discussed the trends and forces influencing the industry, and James Harris, luxury agent, entrepreneur and star of Bravo’s “Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles,” who shared his perspective on market dynamics, client expectations and the evolving role of the real estate professional. Additional conversations explored topics ranging from housing affordability and advocacy to technology, leadership and business growth.
Watch for new “Change Agents” episodes in August wherever you listen to podcasts.
Across the on-stage conversations, podcast interviews and member interactions throughout the week, a common theme emerged: NAR is focused on showing up for members, listening to their concerns and elevating the issues that matter most to their businesses.
“I think the industry's best days are ahead,” Wright said. “I truly believe that.”
